US snubs Pak on mediation

8220;That8217;s the work mediation that I always like to do. I8217;ve enjoyed my opportunities to work with the parties in the Middle East and in Northern Ireland but it only works when both parties wish the US to be involved. Otherwise, we can8217;t be effective,8221; Clinton told reporters in front of Sharif at a photo-op before they repaired for talks.

Senior administration officials later said the President reaffirmed the US position of not interceding in a bilateral dispute without invitation from both sides.

8220;The discussion reaffirmed the position from our side8230; The President indicated that it would need to be a requestfrom both parties for the United States to play a mediation role,8221; Bruce Riedel, Senior Director for South Asia in the National Security Council, said.

Clinton8217;s rebuff was amplified even more because Pakistan had invested time effort over the past fortnight in a virulent campaign seeking US intervention. It had also rubbished bilateral talks, saying they had not produced any results, while downplaying the progress on trade, business and cultural fronts.

In a clear sign that Washington disapproved Pakistan8217;s effort to undermine the prospects of bilateral resolution of tensions, Clinton said he was 8220;very encouraged that the two governments have resumed their direct conversations.8221;

8220;I would do anything I could to help resolve it. But the most important thing is that the leaders are discussing it again, they are working on it. What they need is a little elbow room from the political forces in their country,8221; Clinton said.

Pakistan8217;s Kashmir card was not the only one to be repudiated on an largelyfruitless day for Sharif, save some progress on the F-16 dispute. Clinton also handed Sharif two other reality checks.

He rejected requests for resumption of military aid to Pakistan unless Islamabad met American non-proliferation concerns. And he refused enhanced financial help until Pakistan put its economy in order based on IMF prescriptions and resolved the row over independent power producers.

Putting a brave and positive spin on the meetings, Sharif told reporters outside the West Wing after the luncheon that he informed the US President that prolonged American sanction had impacted adversely on the Pakistani economy and also impaired its conventional military capability. This situation which was an important element in the preservation of peace and stability in the region needed to be addressed immediately, he said.

Sharif did not say what Clinton8217;s reply was. US interlocutors who briefed the media later provided plenty of answers. Washington did not buy the arguments.

8220;For us to have anyopportunity to address the conventional military needs of Pakistan, Pakistan will have to take further steps to address our concerns on non-proliferation,8221; Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Rick Inderfurth said.

Inderfurth said the US also made it clear that it was looking for a 8220;strong, credible, and fully implemented8221; IMF package by Pakistan before it would back other economic assistance.

8220;We made it clear also that while we want to be helpful, we stressed the limited nature 8212; limited nature 8212; of the President8217;s decision which is confined to the IMF package8230; that we need to be able to make further progress to provide futher assistance. That will require additional steps 8212; concrete steps 8212; by Pakistan to address nonproliferation and security concerns,8221; Inderfurth said, clearly linking the economic bailout to the nuclear question.

Sharif also got a roasting on Afghanistan, Taliban, and the terrorist activities of Osama bin Laden, judging by the tough language used by US officials.Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who was present at the luncheon, apparently hit out on Taliban 8212; an outfit Pakistan has backed 8212; and its treatment of women and girls.

8220;In our view bin Laden8230; is a terrorist, he is a murderer, he plans to kill again and we want him brought to justice. And that view was made very clear to our Pakistani guests,8221; Inderfurth said.

The official skirted a question on a report about bin Laden training terrorists for Kashmir but implicitly acknowledged the possibility in his answer.

8220;I think that the question of training of terrorists that may operate in Kashmir is serious. It8217;s one that we8217;re also concerned about. It, therefore, underscores the importance of getting bin Laden out of Afghanistan and brought to justice. And a full-court press is underway to do precisely that,8221; Inderfurth said.